Termicidal activity of Azadirachta indica and Khaya ivorensis extracts on subterranean termites in Mubi, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Azadirachta indica and Khaya ivorensis against subterranean termites. Ethanol and aqueous extracts of the plants were separately prepared in 200mg/ml and 400mg/ml concentrations. In the Laboratory mortality was observed for 72hrs, while antifeedant activity was observed in the field, where 20 pieces of woods of were exposed to termites vertically buried in the soil to a depth of 10cm. The results showed that the treatments at varying concentrations effectively controlled the termites. 100% mortality was recorded in all the treatment jars after 72hrs and none was recorded in the control. Similar trend was observed in the exposed woods. The treatments significantly reduced the weight loss to as low as 17.60g in K. ivorensis treated woods, compared to 153.40g in the control after 3 weeks. Hence, this further confirmed the potency of A. indica and K. ivorensis against insect pests.